Ridgway Chautauqua / Sherbino: Strengthening Arts, Culture & Community
Ridgway Chautauqua / Sherbino has grown far beyond our beloved Sherbino Theater at 604 Clinton Street. Today, we also own the 610 Arts Collective and, in partnership with Weehawken Creative Arts, co-own 145 & 147 North Cora—the core of our Key to the Future campus project. These spaces are more than venues; they are places where community, creativity, and belonging thrive.
What We Achieved in 2025
Thanks to our supporters, this year was one of our strongest yet. We produced:
50+ live music events with regional and national touring artists
Monthly programs including Veterans Coffee, author talks, stand-up comedy, Ignite talks, and film nights
A thriving 610 Arts Collective gallery, featuring 100+ regional artists annually
Theater, improv, and sketch-comedy workshops and performances
Beloved annual community events: Fête de la Musique, Ridgway 1K Rally Through the Alley, San Juan Barrel Fest, and our newest tradition—the Ridgway Independent Film Festival
New and expanded partnerships with the Ridgway Library, Ouray County Pride, West Region Wildfire Council, Voyager Youth, the Telluride Foundation, and more
Altogether, more than 15,000 people engaged with Ridgway Chautauqua programs in 2025. Every one of these moments—whether a newcomer discovering the Sherbino or a veteran connecting over morning coffee—was made possible by community support.
Why Your Support Matters
Many people are surprised to learn that ticket sales, bar revenue, and gallery sales cover less than half of our operating budget. The remaining funding comes from grants (7% from foundations) and, most importantly, individual donations from people who value what the Sherbino brings to Ouray County.
A full 46% of our annual budget comes from donors like you. Your support is the reason we can continue offering accessible, high-quality programming year-round.
Our 2026 Goals
1. Refine & Enhance Programming
We will continue building high-quality, original events that reflect Ridgway’s creative spirit—curated for excellence rather than volume. Our aim is to maintain accessibility, deepen audience engagement, and provide meaningful cultural experiences while supporting staff wellbeing and reducing team and audience burnout.
2. Support Infrastructure: Invest in 145/147 N. Cora
Through our Key to the Future campaign, we must pay down the remaining loan on the Cora property. Plus, the unexpected vacancy at 147 Cora means we now face urgent building needs to activate the space, including electrical upgrades, insulation, drywall, plumbing, heating, windows, lighting, and essential safety improvements. These renovations will allow us to activate the space for artist lodging, classes, rehearsals, and broader community use.
3. Strengthen Community Events
We will continue offering cherished traditions like Fête de la Musique, the Ridgway 1K Rally Through the Alley, Ridgway Independent Film Fest and Barrel Fest (new model to be announced soon!), which bring joy and connection to residents and visitors and help sustain Ridgway’s vibrant cultural identity.
4. Sustain Our Team
The heart of our work is our dedicated staff. To maintain stability and continuity in our programming, we need to offer competitive compensation that allows us to retain our current team and recruit talented individuals as our organization grows.
5. Promote Collaboration & Chautauqua Traditions
We will deepen partnerships — to expand shared programming and strengthen Ridgway’s creative ecosystem. We are recommitting to the Chautauqua values of lifelong learning through lectures, films, authors, music, theater, discussion, and community storytelling.
How You Can Help
Your gift directly fuels the programs, people, and places that make the Sherbino a cultural anchor in Ridgway and Ouray County.
Whether you contribute $50, $250, $500, or more, your support helps ensure:
audiences have access to exceptional cultural programming
artists and performers have a place to create and share work
our historic and future spaces remain active, safe, and welcoming
our community continues to have a creative home
Colorado donors giving $250 or more can take advantage of the Colorado Enterprise Zone tax credit, and we gladly accept stock gifts, estate bequests, and qualified charitable distributions.
If you are passionate about a particular area—live music, gallery programming, youth engagement, facility improvements, or the Cora campus—please reach out. We would be honored to match your gift with a project that reflects your values and vision.
On behalf of our board, staff, volunteers, and the thousands of people we serve each year: thank you for believing in this work. With your support, we will continue carrying the Chautauqua tradition forward and building a vibrant, creative future for our community.